Welcome to the latest edition of Single File, a feature that focuses on dissecting the latest and greatest singles - from their start to the cover art - by asking their composers to give up some song-specific insider details, pretty or gritty as they may be.

Today I bring you “How Do I Know”, the latest single from Brooklyn, New York’s Here We Go Magic. It can be found on the band’s third album, A Different Ship, a sprawling, colorful pop record filled with delightfully catchy tunes about hot-dogging your way to the top and drinking vodka over the ocean, among other things. Released just this week on Secretly Canadian, the album was produced by Radiohead’s “sixth member”, Nigel Godrich, who offered his services not long after he and Thom Yorke danced around to the band’s early morning Glastonbury performance back in 2010. The result is nothing short of stunning, and nowhere is that more evident than on “How Do I Know”. I’m thrilled that the song’s author, Luke Temple, was willing to answer a few of my questions about the single, so have a listen and read on as he sheds a little more light on this sunny jam.

Here We Go Magic - “How Do I Know”


OW: What is “How Do I Know” about?

Luke Temple: Is love some spiritual connection or is it a decision or in an action? Stuff like that.

OW: When and where was the song written? Did you write it yourself and present it to the band or was it written together?

Temple: I wrote that one a few years back and it was just kicking around without a home. I introduced it to the band and they liked it enough to want to put it on the record.

OW: How did it come together during the recording process and what do you think Nigel Godrich brought to the song that maybe another producer couldn’t have?

Temple: He brings clarity to anything he works on. It went smooth for that one. We did it live and there it was.

OW: Who created the cover art for the 7” and why do you feel it represents this single?

Temple: I did. It’s just what it is. I figure it could be used for just about any record art.

OW: What can you tell us about the single’s b-side, “My Plate’s On Fire”?

Temple: We were recording another song and, in between takes, the band just started playing that progression spontaneously. I put some words to it and there we have it.

OW: Anything else you’d like to share about the single that people might not know?

Temple: I like to pretend it’s an old show tune. If you take the “Here We Go Magicness” out of it you can imagine Buddy Clark singing it.

OW: What’s next on your agenda?

Temple: Tour!

And tour they shall. Check out a full list of North American and Euro dates here and order the “How Do I Know” 7” single along with a copy of A Different Ship over at Secretly Canadian, or snag a limited cassette copy of the album from Joyful Noise. Watch the Sean Pecknold-directed video for “How Do I Know” below.

Here We Go Magic - “How Do I Know”


Previously:
SINGLE FILE - Co La - “Blood Orange Crush (Dynasty Version)”
SINGLE FILE - Dylan Ettinger - “Lion Of Judah”

One of the freshest and best new bands I’ve heard in a long while, Wooden Constructions, just released their debut album People Now People today via Subroutine. If I could afford to buy you all a copy I would. Not a single moment of filler on this thing. Stream it in full below and name your price for the mp3’s, or order the LP from Subroutine. Their live show is not to be missed, so if you plan to be in the Amsterdam area next month, be sure to buy tickets to their album release show at Melkweg on June 12.



Previously:
Wooden Constructions - “Smoul In Mali”
Wooden Constructions - “Full Brother”